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A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona’s (ATSU-SOMA) chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was recently recognized as Region 1 Chapter of the Year. To receive this recognition, SOMA SNMA members had to complete a monthly community service initiative and conduct consistent executive board meetings. They also hosted workshops at regional and national conferences.

The mission of SNMA nationally is to support current and future underrepresented minority medical students, address the needs of underserved communities, and increase the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious physicians. SOMA SNMA was chartered during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Under the leadership of SOMA SNMA president, Sarah Grewal, OMS II, the executive board set a goal to be chapter of the year for 2018-2019. To this end, SOMA SNMA increased general membership, led an interactive workshop on osteopathic manipulative medicine at the Region 1 Regional Medical Education Conference, sent 18 students to the Annual Medical Education Conference to lead workshops on osteopathic medicine, completed at least one community service event per month, participated in regional calls, and completed all of its quarterly financial and chapter reports on time.

“The Chapter of the Year award signals to the national SNMA body that ATSU-SOMA’s chapter was committed to fulfilling the SNMA community service protocols, submitting timely reports, participating in regional calls, attending the regional and national conferences, and doing its part to fulfill the mission of SNMA,” says Renee Crawford, OMS III. “Achieving chapter of the year was the sundae; the cherry on top was getting SOMA SNMA’s president elected to an assistant regional director position on Region 1’s executive board and nominating two of ATSU-SOMA’s own to regional positions.”